On Friday, 2 October, a huge gathering of local residents gathered to watch the blessing of St Andrew’s church spire and a ceremony to mark the start of its long-anticipated refurbishment works. These are a culmination of many months of hard work, planning and fundraising by our Rector, Revd Caroline Titley, and our whole church team.

Revd Caroline bravely climbed to the top of the scaffolding to bless the spire.

Meanwhile, the crowd was treated to inspiring speeches from the Ven. Peter Farley-Moore, Archdeacon of Hackney, local Councillor, Rowena Champion, and our Churchwarden, Prof. Lis Howell.

The Archdeacon said “It’s a great achievement by Caroline, both climbing the scaffolding and raising the money to save the spire. The scaffolding represents huge community and church connection and co-operation.”

Cllr Champion congratulated everyone in the locality for saving a building which served the whole neighbourhood.

Revd Caroline was hailed by our trumpeters as she descended to lead the main ceremony, praising God that all our work has now come to fruition.

The gathering then went inside the church for refreshments and celebrations, with a cake donated by our local Sunflour Bakery.

Now the spire can be saved, fundraising continues to repair the tower on which it stands. The church and local people have high hopes that, if individual donors and national bodies continue their support, all the scaffolding, netting and hoardings can be removed in 2027.

Then St Andrew’s will once again be an iconic focal point for the whole community.